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becah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of those books I literally couldn't put down. I read this book in 4 days when I usually take about a month. I am a sucker for fiercely devoted, loyal love and I got my fair share of it in this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Gore, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Body horror, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
opheliafrey's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Abandonment, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
pitsikakku's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Biphobia, and Sexual violence
joshoonet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
- MY HEART
- TJ Klune you have done it again
- The next volume only comes out in August (at least in the edition that fits the one i have now) and i am in pain
- I only read Cerulean Sea and Whispering Door before this, and... this is darker. And SMUTTIER. Also people say fuck. I like it!
- Klune is one of my favourite authors because he always includes healthy, but realistic! communication, especially between men. It's just so damn refreshing.
- Also a bunch of queer characters! Incredible! I have yet to find a trans character though, maybe in his next book?
- His book have been the only one to make me genuinely emotional in a long time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Torture, Murder, and Animal death
Minor: Ableism, Alcohol, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
Ableism, Domestic Abuse, Alcohol:maiathornton's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Child abuse, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
bel017's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
It was way too dark for me so I skimmed and skipped through the last third or so. Should have checked the content warnings, but I was in a bricks and mortar shop and I loved *Under the Whispering Door* and *House in the Cerulean Sea* so didn't think to look it up online. I can't cope with child torture, or parent/child death, or grief. Too dark. Especially after how hard I was laughing at Joe stammering about mounting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Death of parent, Abandonment, Grief, and Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Death, Gore, Confinement, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Minor: Vomit, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
fanboyriot's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I really wanted to like this book but for me it was just kinda meh. The drama to me just was draining to read, I didn’t really connect or care about most of the characters, and I just wasn’t a big fan of the writing style. I really thought this would be a five star read, I mean queer werewolf’s?? Yeah sounds good. However, it just wasn’t for me. I did like the sense of family they build and all the queer rep though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Torture, and Kidnapping
Minor: Domestic abuse
nitzanschwarz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
April 22 Re-Read
A 96% | Excellent
Just as good as the first time
Plot – 18/20
If I had to explain the plot of this novel, I guess I’d describe it as a “coming of age” story, heavily intertwined with one of my favorite tropes – found family. We are taken along for the ride as Oxnard "Ox" Matheson grows from a 12 years old child to a twenty-six years old man. I think Ox’s journey is wonderfully shown through his relationship to the word “man”. He father, shitty as he was, had told him men don’t cry. He had told him many other things that take Ox years to shake off, but it’s the progression of his relationship with being a “man” that’s the most significant. Because Ox believes his father. Later, he feels like it’s okay not to be a “man”. Finally, he understands that crying doesn’t mean he isn’t one.
Ox finds himself—his self-confidence—in the pages of this book. He’s never going to see what others see in him—he’s not anything—but he’s not gonna let it stop him, either. From protecting those he loves. His pack. His mate. His family.
I gotta warn you though. This world is not gentle. TJ Klune carefully constructs a world that is savage from the first page. It’s not pretty, it’s not pleasant—it’s heart-wrenching and gut-punching and the good guys don’t always win, and even when they do they suffer losses.
There is so much loss in this book.
Involuntary loss and voluntary loss and voluntary loss that feels involuntary, for some.
And all of it cuts to the bone.
But it doesn’t make this book any less beautiful.
That being said, I would like more… depth?... to the villains. One of them had a reason—kinda—except his anger felt very misplaced;like, hunters killed your family. I’d expect you to go eradicate them, first and foremost, instead of targeting your former Alpha, with hunting the hunters being almost a side effect of attacking the Bennets and becoming an Alpha. Why was it even necessary for him to be Alpha? And we didn’t have enough of an explanation into Omegas to understand them, and Osmond is a complete mystery. Is it the elitism?... Maybe if we had less Albus Dumbledores (see the next section) I would understand them better lol.
And...well, I get why Ox had to become a wolf. But. But. I would've liked him to stay human, or human adjacent. I loved the dynamic of the human alpha with the wolfs and his pack and everyone else and I just hope that can be maintained through his transformation.
Characters –18/20
Since this is a pack novel, there are a ton of characters. But I’m gonna keep this section limited to the most important ones.
First, Ox. The main character. He is a wholesome and precious cinnamon roll who didn’t deserve any of what he was dished out. Not from his father, not from the villains, and definitely not from his Mate. I absolutely love him. The first time and the second time. My heart squeezed every time his father's words echoed in his low self-esteem. But every time he voiced these thoughts, there was someone there to tell him he was wrong. And I love them all dearly for that. I love Ox with a passion, but I do have one qualm with him –he was so, so angry with Joe—justifiably, in my opinion—for so long. Told him clear as day – that they should’ve fought it together. And then. And then. He does the exact same thing! Love, this ain’t it.
Everyone else in the book is very distinctive; from gruff Gordo, knowing Mark, insightful Elizabeth, cheeky Carter, clueless Kelly, clever Jessie, Gordo’s clowns—I mean, Rico, Chris, and Tanner. I really enjoyed all of them.
But.
This book is filled with Albus Dumbledores. You know what I’m talking about—people who hide things from Ox for “his own good”. People who don’t include him in decisions. People who keep things hidden for him—because he doesn’t need to know, because not yet, because it’s too personal or hurts too much. Some of the things they hid I totally got. And others… not so much. But I guess these mistakes make them human. Even if they’re werewolves.
Relationships –20/20
Klune writes the most complex relationships, I swear.
None of these relationships are perfect. But they’re all exactly what they need to be. And they’re always dynamic, changing, shifting. From lovers to friends, from friends to family, from family to pack—and lovers. They’re never static—and never taken for granted. I think it’s quite beautiful.
It’s going to be funny to say, but maybe my least favorite relationship is Joe and Ox. These two never got a chance to just be, not the way Ox got to be with everyone else. And they hurt each other deeply—never intentionally, they could never—but intent and result are two different things. And I thought it was fair—so fair—for Ox to be mad. For Ox to need time to forgive. And I thought that it was beautiful that once he did, it was. Forgiven, I mean. Even as I say it was my least favorite relationship, it did make me soft. These two made me soft. When they were together and unburdened. When they were together despite the burden. I am curious to see how they look from other people’s eyes, in the sequels. To see how they act around each other. Because I get the feeling they might move around each other, like their bodies are always adjusting to where the other is, their movement, their shifts.
I adored all the other relationships to pieces, though. They were easy, flowing. They embraced each other. Their banter would make you laugh—even as everything else breaks you down, breaks them down. I have to say, though… I kind of want a short story from the point of view of some unsuspecting bystander witnessing some Pack Moments and being all like ???????? because all the forehead touching and neck bearing and sliding along each other is probably so confusing to anyone who isn't In The Know. And I think it’ll be hilarious.
writing –20/20
I have a new appreciation for Klune's writing style re-reading this after reading The Extraordinaries. In The Extraordinaries the main character has ADHD and so from page one the writing is flowing, and lengthy, with one thought blending into another. It feels very much written from the POV of a hyperactive kid who has trouble focusing.
Wolfsong, though? The complete opposite. Ox is not the talkative type. He tends to be careful with words, to hold his tongue. He’s slower—not slow. It’s like… everything is weighted with Oxanard. And so, the writing in Wolfsong is much more… measured, I guess? It’s intentionally stilted in places—short sentences, short paragraphs. Straightforward. Until it isn’t—because there is pack and there are people who are not only willing to listen but want to.
But still, even then. The writing is different from the Extraodinaries. It feels like Ox.
I think this is something very important in an author—to be able to match the writing to the character telling the story (even in the third person). I’m excited to read Ravensong to see if Klune manages to pull off even more unique voices!
Reading Experience –20/20
*sigh*
Klune really does take you on an emotional journey. Forgive me for bringing another book into the mix again, but in The Extraordinaries the balance is 70% laugh out loud and 30% rip your heart out. For Wolfsong, though? Klune set out to tear your heart out of your chest, rip it to pieces, then put it back in your chest to see if it can still work again, like this, all… messed up. Because Wolfsong is 85% pain, 15% laughter, and 100% “I will die for Oxnard Matheson”. But yes, this book will hurt. You won’t realize how much it will hurt until the 40% mark, but afterward, you won’t stop hurting. And it’s gonna be worth every second of it.
Final Score: 96
A 96% | Excellent
Just as good as the first time
Plot – 18/20
If I had to explain the plot of this novel, I guess I’d describe it as a “coming of age” story, heavily intertwined with one of my favorite tropes – found family. We are taken along for the ride as Oxnard "Ox" Matheson grows from a 12 years old child to a twenty-six years old man. I think Ox’s journey is wonderfully shown through his relationship to the word “man”. He father, shitty as he was, had told him men don’t cry. He had told him many other things that take Ox years to shake off, but it’s the progression of his relationship with being a “man” that’s the most significant. Because Ox believes his father. Later, he feels like it’s okay not to be a “man”. Finally, he understands that crying doesn’t mean he isn’t one.
Ox finds himself—his self-confidence—in the pages of this book. He’s never going to see what others see in him—he’s not anything—but he’s not gonna let it stop him, either. From protecting those he loves. His pack. His mate. His family.
I gotta warn you though. This world is not gentle. TJ Klune carefully constructs a world that is savage from the first page. It’s not pretty, it’s not pleasant—it’s heart-wrenching and gut-punching and the good guys don’t always win, and even when they do they suffer losses.
There is so much loss in this book.
Involuntary loss and voluntary loss and voluntary loss that feels involuntary, for some.
And all of it cuts to the bone.
But it doesn’t make this book any less beautiful.
That being said, I would like more… depth?... to the villains. One of them had a reason—kinda—except his anger felt very misplaced;
And...
Characters –18/20
Since this is a pack novel, there are a ton of characters. But I’m gonna keep this section limited to the most important ones.
First, Ox. The main character. He is a wholesome and precious cinnamon roll who didn’t deserve any of what he was dished out. Not from his father, not from the villains, and definitely not from his Mate. I absolutely love him. The first time and the second time. My heart squeezed every time his father's words echoed in his low self-esteem. But every time he voiced these thoughts, there was someone there to tell him he was wrong. And I love them all dearly for that. I love Ox with a passion, but I do have one qualm with him –
Everyone else in the book is very distinctive; from gruff Gordo, knowing Mark, insightful Elizabeth, cheeky Carter, clueless Kelly, clever Jessie, Gordo’s clowns—I mean, Rico, Chris, and Tanner. I really enjoyed all of them.
But.
This book is filled with Albus Dumbledores. You know what I’m talking about—people who hide things from Ox for “his own good”. People who don’t include him in decisions. People who keep things hidden for him—because he doesn’t need to know, because not yet, because it’s too personal or hurts too much. Some of the things they hid I totally got. And others… not so much. But I guess these mistakes make them human. Even if they’re werewolves.
Relationships –20/20
Klune writes the most complex relationships, I swear.
None of these relationships are perfect. But they’re all exactly what they need to be. And they’re always dynamic, changing, shifting. From lovers to friends, from friends to family, from family to pack—and lovers. They’re never static—and never taken for granted. I think it’s quite beautiful.
It’s going to be funny to say, but maybe my least favorite relationship is Joe and Ox. These two never got a chance to just be, not the way Ox got to be with everyone else. And they hurt each other deeply—never intentionally, they could never—but intent and result are two different things. And I thought it was fair—so fair—for Ox to be mad. For Ox to need time to forgive. And I thought that it was beautiful that once he did, it was. Forgiven, I mean. Even as I say it was my least favorite relationship, it did make me soft. These two made me soft. When they were together and unburdened. When they were together despite the burden. I am curious to see how they look from other people’s eyes, in the sequels. To see how they act around each other. Because I get the feeling they might move around each other, like their bodies are always adjusting to where the other is, their movement, their shifts.
I adored all the other relationships to pieces, though. They were easy, flowing. They embraced each other. Their banter would make you laugh—even as everything else breaks you down, breaks them down. I have to say, though… I kind of want a short story from the point of view of some unsuspecting bystander witnessing some Pack Moments and being all like ???????? because all the forehead touching and neck bearing and sliding along each other is probably so confusing to anyone who isn't In The Know. And I think it’ll be hilarious.
writing –20/20
I have a new appreciation for Klune's writing style re-reading this after reading The Extraordinaries. In The Extraordinaries the main character has ADHD and so from page one the writing is flowing, and lengthy, with one thought blending into another. It feels very much written from the POV of a hyperactive kid who has trouble focusing.
Wolfsong, though? The complete opposite. Ox is not the talkative type. He tends to be careful with words, to hold his tongue. He’s slower—not slow. It’s like… everything is weighted with Oxanard. And so, the writing in Wolfsong is much more… measured, I guess? It’s intentionally stilted in places—short sentences, short paragraphs. Straightforward. Until it isn’t—because there is pack and there are people who are not only willing to listen but want to.
But still, even then. The writing is different from the Extraodinaries. It feels like Ox.
I think this is something very important in an author—to be able to match the writing to the character telling the story (even in the third person). I’m excited to read Ravensong to see if Klune manages to pull off even more unique voices!
Reading Experience –20/20
*sigh*
Klune really does take you on an emotional journey. Forgive me for bringing another book into the mix again, but in The Extraordinaries the balance is 70% laugh out loud and 30% rip your heart out. For Wolfsong, though? Klune set out to tear your heart out of your chest, rip it to pieces, then put it back in your chest to see if it can still work again, like this, all… messed up. Because Wolfsong is 85% pain, 15% laughter, and 100% “I will die for Oxnard Matheson”. But yes, this book will hurt. You won’t realize how much it will hurt until the 40% mark, but afterward, you won’t stop hurting. And it’s gonna be worth every second of it.
Final Score: 96
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
madmadmaddymad's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pack, pack, pack!
A story about family and friendship and above all, choice. It’s very reminiscent of Twilight, but with a bisexual protagonist who chooses the wolf boy. Ox is so endearing and easy to love - and this adventure is filled to the brim with moments of sorrow and joy and heart-pounding action. The romance was sweet and captivating, and developed at a natural pace despite the supernatural “mating bond” aspect. I loved everything about this book!
TJ Klune is now my new favorite author. His writing is emotional, engaging, heartwarming, funny, and full of feelings. I laughed, I cried, I stayed up late to finish reading… I want to start the sequel right now. I want to immediately reread this book. I want to stay in this world forever. I want to be a wolf!
5 stars. This one will definitely stay with me.
A story about family and friendship and above all, choice. It’s very reminiscent of Twilight, but with a bisexual protagonist who chooses the wolf boy. Ox is so endearing and easy to love - and this adventure is filled to the brim with moments of sorrow and joy and heart-pounding action. The romance was sweet and captivating, and developed at a natural pace despite the supernatural “mating bond” aspect. I loved everything about this book!
TJ Klune is now my new favorite author. His writing is emotional, engaging, heartwarming, funny, and full of feelings. I laughed, I cried, I stayed up late to finish reading… I want to start the sequel right now. I want to immediately reread this book. I want to stay in this world forever. I want to be a wolf!
5 stars. This one will definitely stay with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse
mooka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
devoured, quickly
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Homophobia and Domestic abuse